PTCL Expands Women Empowerment Program to 20 Districts, Showcasing AI-Powered Fashion Show

ISLAMABAD: PTCL Group, in partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has expanded its flagship women empowerment initiative, the Ba-Ikhtiar Project, to 20 districts across Pakistan. The project, under PTCL’s Social Impact platform ‘Dil Se,’ focuses on fostering financial independence by equipping women entrepreneurs with essential business tools and mentorship to run successful e-commerce startups.

The event celebrating the project's success was graced by UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Alzaabi, and leading personalities from the corporate, entertainment, and development sectors, including Kubra Khan, Hareem Farooq, Sana Mir, and Ali Xeeshan. Adding a tech-savvy twist, Pakistan’s first-ever AI-powered fashion show was held, where women entrepreneurs showcased designs created with artificial intelligence, merging creativity and technology.

Empowering Women Across Pakistan
The Ba-Ikhtiar Project has broadened its scope to include skills like pottery, arts and crafts, food preservation, online tutoring, and organic cosmetics. Through this program, PTCL Group has transformed lives by teaching digital literacy, financial management, and business development, enabling women to achieve financial independence.

Mariam Hussain, a participant in the program, represented Pakistan at Gitex Global 2024 in Dubai, highlighting the success of the initiative. Hatem Bamatraf, President and CEO of PTCL & Ufone, described the Ba-Ikhtiar Project as a movement of hope and resilience, bringing progress to communities.

Expert Insights and Transformative Partnerships
The event featured a panel discussion with notable experts like Sania Saeed and Jehan Ara, who emphasized how technology can address societal challenges and drive women’s empowerment. Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, applauded the collaboration between PTCL and partners for driving sustainable change.

This initiative continues to break barriers, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among women, with plans to extend its impact further across the country.

PTCL's Ba-Ikhtiar Project demonstrates how collaboration and innovation can empower women, build thriving businesses, and inspire communities. As this program expands, it continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous Pakistan.